ry animile on foot. But Ted, he foresee
what they wuz up ter, an' ther simplest way wuz ter run 'em off in a
fake stampede. It done ther work, too, fer we're out o' ther reservation
whar they can't touch us."

Except for the night guard, the boys rolled themselves in their blankets
and were soon sound asleep.

The next morning Ted began to drift the herd slowly into the north,
where there was plenty of free range. They were still well within view
of the fort.

It was almost time for the beef issue at the post, and Ted and Bud,
walking their ponies slowly along in the lead of the herd, were talking
about it.

"Wonder they ain't been out to head us off this morning?" said Bud.

"They know they cannot take forcible possession of our cattle when we
are off the reservation," answered Ted. "Hello, what's that heading this
way?"

Coming toward them from the direction of the fort, several riders were
kicking up the dust in lively fashion.

As they got nearer the riders revealed themselves as four soldiers,
accompanied by two ladies.

Suddenly Ted pulled in his pony, and grasped Bud's arm.

"If that don't look like Stella I'll eat my saddle blanket fried in
butter," he said.

"Shore do look some like her," answered Bud, "an' that's ther same
little ole red jacket what she wears."

In a few moments they heard Stella's hail, and answered it.

Then up galloped Stella and Miss Croffut, accompanied by the commandant
of the post, Lieutenant Barrows, and two other officers, a captain and a
major.

After greeting the boys, and formally introducing Miss Croffut, Stella
told them that from their last telegram she thought she might be able to
catch them at Fort Felton, and had not hesitated in coming on,
particularly as she happened to know Miss Croffut.

"What's this trouble you fellows have been getting into with the folks
at the fort?" asked Stella.

"We're not having any trouble, but we had some in the night when the
dogies stampeded us," replied Ted, with an almost imperceptible wink at
her.

"None of my business, I suppose?"

"None in the least."

"See here, Mr. Strong," the colonel broke in, "I suppose I was somewhat
hasty last night in talking with you, especially as you had arrived on
time. I wish you'd turn back, and let us have those cattle."

"Like to if you'd said so a little earlier, but since morning, and the
expiration of the contract, beef has gone up."

"What do you mean?"

"I mean that you h